Hmm, audiophile and Django Reinhardt don't necessarily fit in the same sentence, since even the best recordings have some problems, but here's a few I think are great:
Jazz in Paris: Nuits de Saint-Germain des-Prés --an excellent live show with good recording quality off the Gitane label
Peche à la Mouche -- 2-disc set from Verve that's got good quality and excellent music. This is pretty amazing
The Quintette of the Hot Club of France -- A classic, but varied quality
The Complete Django Reinhardt & Quintet of the Hot Club of France Swing-- This is the Mosaic 6-disc collection, and if you can find it it's the best combo of music and recording value. This is my pic, but it's as much a total immersion as it is an introduction
Of Course, there's the huge "Djangology" box set (like 10 cds!) but I haven't myself gotten it, so can only venture a guess.
If you like this kind of music, then I'd seriously recommend you track down "The Rosenberg Trio: Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival" A great live show, a great recording, and amazing musicians. Definitely worth a listen (especially they're version of "Minor Swing")
Jazz in Paris: Nuits de Saint-Germain des-Prés --an excellent live show with good recording quality off the Gitane label
Peche à la Mouche -- 2-disc set from Verve that's got good quality and excellent music. This is pretty amazing
The Quintette of the Hot Club of France -- A classic, but varied quality
The Complete Django Reinhardt & Quintet of the Hot Club of France Swing-- This is the Mosaic 6-disc collection, and if you can find it it's the best combo of music and recording value. This is my pic, but it's as much a total immersion as it is an introduction
Of Course, there's the huge "Djangology" box set (like 10 cds!) but I haven't myself gotten it, so can only venture a guess.
If you like this kind of music, then I'd seriously recommend you track down "The Rosenberg Trio: Live at the North Sea Jazz Festival" A great live show, a great recording, and amazing musicians. Definitely worth a listen (especially they're version of "Minor Swing")